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What Does The Green Dot On Messenger Mean?

This article explains what Green Dot on Messenger means and its importance for you.

Say hello to Sarah, who’s just started using Facebook Messenger.

Hello Tech Freaks, its Sarah here.😅😁

She’s excited to chat with her friends and family, and as she opens the app, she notices something interesting – a little green dot hanging below each circular profile picture she sees while scrolling through her chat space.

Now, she’s not quite sure if this dot is supposed to be there or if it’s some kind of mistake.

In this article, we’re going to step into Sarah’s shoes and figure out what this mysterious green dot on Messenger is all about. We want to help people, especially those who, like Sarah, are new to using this app.

What Does Green Dot On Messenger Mean?

The white arrow is pointing at the Green Dot on Messenger

The Green Dot is this small green circle you see next to someone’s profile picture on Facebook Messenger. It signals that this person is online right now.

Where Is It And What Does It Mean?

Look for it next to your friend’s name or picture. When you see the Green Dot, it means that the person is currently active on Facebook Messenger. It’s like a live status update saying they are using the app.

How Does Facebook Messenger Know You’re “Active”?

Being “active” doesn’t just mean having the app on your phone. Facebook Messenger is smart – it knows you’re really there if you have the app open or if there’s recent activity. So, scrolling through it or sending a message counts as being active.

Not Always Chatting

Seeing the Green Dot doesn’t necessarily guarantee your friend is actively chatting. They might just have the app open, checking out people’s status, or doing something else. You can assume it as a heads up that they are around, but not necessarily in a deep conversation.

Quick Appearance, Quick Disappearance

Have you ever noticed the Green Dot popping up and then disappearing super fast? Well, sometimes it shows up briefly, even if your friend just opened the app for a second and then closed it. So, it can be a bit tricky – just because you see it doesn’t mean they are fully engaged in a chat.

How You See The Green Dot On Messenger

To spot if someone is online (indicated by the Green Dot), it’s because your own Active Status is on. This status not only lets you know when your friends are online but also makes your Green Dot visible to them.

Visibility On Messenger

When your Active Status On Messenger is turned on, others can see the Green Dot on your profile picture when they check Facebook Messenger. It’s like a mutual exchange – you see theirs, they see yours, all thanks to Active Status.

Concerns About Active Status On Messenger

If the idea of your online status being broadcast makes you uneasy or if you prefer a bit of anonymity, don’t worry — you can turn it off.

How To Disable Active Status On Messenger

Navigate to the Settings and Privacy menu by clicking the gear icon in the top right corner. Choose “Active status” as the third option. Simply toggle the switch off.

By doing this, you’re not only preventing others from seeing when you’re online but also gaining privacy by not knowing when your friends are active on Facebook Messenger.

Conclusion

The Green Dot On Messenger shows when friends are online but doesn’t reveal everything about their activities. It’s a friendly sign they’re around. Also, your Active status on Messenger is turned on by default, and if you want to hide being online, you need to turn it off manually.

Further Reading

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Posted by
Precious Ekhorose

Precious Ekhorose is a proficient social media blogger, editor and technology content writer. He has a keen interest in resolving technology-related issues for individuals. His main focus is on social media news related to popular platforms like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, Telegram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and operating systems such as Android, Windows, and iOS. He has studied technology and social media for three years, honing his skills in crafting professional guides and how-to articles for his blog.

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